Absenteeism-reduction measures at Dranesville ES feel like misplaced student pressure

[Anonymous]

An article posted on the FCPS site lauds Dranesville Elementary for its chronic absenteeism-reduction measures. Some include a school counselor visiting each classroom for roll call, asking students if this is a "perfect attendance day?" Also, "Does anybody have a buddy missing today?"

"Grade level attendance is displayed on a chart in the front office, where all students, staff, and school visitors can see it. Once a month, the marquis board in front of the school carries an attendance-themed message. The school newsletter, sent to parents each week, includes current stats on the Dranesville chronic absenteeism rate.

And before noon everyday, any grade with perfect attendance gets a shout-out over the school announcement system. A class with perfect attendance often gets a visit from Drake the Dragon, the school mascot. And every 10 days, students who have had perfect attendance during that time period, are entered in a raffle for prizes."

Some of these measures feel like they're targeting absent students to be shamed and pressured by classmates. A first-grader can't get themselves to school without help. They shouldn't fear that if they're not in class, their friends will blame them for not getting a mascot visit or prize. And classmates shouldn't be asked to monitor anyone.

https://www.fcps.edu/news/attendance-all-stars-dranesville-elementary-sees-14-point-drop-absenteeism-amid-flurry-efforts?utm_campaign+=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

[Anonymous]

For the 6th graders, shorter announcements and no visit from the mascot seems like a great reason to miss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An article posted on the FCPS site lauds Dranesville Elementary for its chronic absenteeism-reduction measures. Some include a school counselor visiting each classroom for roll call, asking students if this is a "perfect attendance day?" Also, "Does anybody have a buddy missing today?"

"Grade level attendance is displayed on a chart in the front office, where all students, staff, and school visitors can see it. Once a month, the marquis board in front of the school carries an attendance-themed message. The school newsletter, sent to parents each week, includes current stats on the Dranesville chronic absenteeism rate.

And before noon everyday, any grade with perfect attendance gets a shout-out over the school announcement system. A class with perfect attendance often gets a visit from Drake the Dragon, the school mascot. And every 10 days, students who have had perfect attendance during that time period, are entered in a raffle for prizes."

Some of these measures feel like they're targeting absent students to be shamed and pressured by classmates. A first-grader can't get themselves to school without help. They shouldn't fear that if they're not in class, their friends will blame them for not getting a mascot visit or prize. And classmates shouldn't be asked to monitor anyone.

https://www.fcps.edu/news/attendance-all-stars-dranesville-elementary-sees-14-point-drop-absenteeism-amid-flurry-efforts?utm_campaign+=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Emails home, calls home, letters home do not work for some families. Social pressure seems to work, so go for it.

What other option do you see? Because we know that FCPS sends out lots of emails about attendence. I have friends who have received letters about their children missing more then 10 days of school, the family took two vacations right after vacations because it was less expensive after breaks, so we know that the schools send letters. Parents get a call home if their kid is out of school and not reported as being absent. Yet some schools have a 20% absenteeism rate. Dranesville dropped that rate with social pressure. Who knows if it is a long term solution but you are complaining that the school tried something that did work. They emphasized in the school classroom the importance of attending and the kids seemed to respond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An article posted on the FCPS site lauds Dranesville Elementary for its chronic absenteeism-reduction measures. Some include a school counselor visiting each classroom for roll call, asking students if this is a "perfect attendance day?" Also, "Does anybody have a buddy missing today?"

"Grade level attendance is displayed on a chart in the front office, where all students, staff, and school visitors can see it. Once a month, the marquis board in front of the school carries an attendance-themed message. The school newsletter, sent to parents each week, includes current stats on the Dranesville chronic absenteeism rate.

And before noon everyday, any grade with perfect attendance gets a shout-out over the school announcement system. A class with perfect attendance often gets a visit from Drake the Dragon, the school mascot. And every 10 days, students who have had perfect attendance during that time period, are entered in a raffle for prizes."

Some of these measures feel like they're targeting absent students to be shamed and pressured by classmates. A first-grader can't get themselves to school without help. They shouldn't fear that if they're not in class, their friends will blame them for not getting a mascot visit or prize. And classmates shouldn't be asked to monitor anyone.

https://www.fcps.edu/news/attendance-all-stars-dranesville-elementary-sees-14-point-drop-absenteeism-amid-flurry-efforts?utm_campaign+=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

If a first grader's home does not emphasize attendance, then hearing it at school may be a new message. And younger kids believe everything their teachers tell them, so they would believe that attendance is important if the school tells them it is.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a way to get sick kids to come to school and infect everyone else.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if the school nurse there (a health department employee) has been consulted on any of these measures. Doubtful.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a norovirus outbreak is in their future. Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the school nurse there (a health department employee) has been consulted on any of these measures. Doubtful.

FCPS has pretty clearly said attendance policies for illness are back to pre-pandemic. The fact that some people on DCUM cannot get used to that idea doesn't change it.

[Anonymous]

That's entirely inappropriate for elementary schoolers whose parents are irresponsible. I wouldn't do it for middle school either. Just high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the school nurse there (a health department employee) has been consulted on any of these measures. Doubtful.

FCPS has pretty clearly said attendance policies for illness are back to pre-pandemic. The fact that some people on DCUM cannot get used to that idea doesn't change it.

Precovid kids still aren’t supposed to come to school when sick, and some children are going to miss due to chronic illness or other issues. Here are all the current reasons your child should stay home: severe coughing, pink eye, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, rash/fever, strep.

Agree this is misplaced. My children have had low level gunk since the beginning of September and we haven’t missed a day, but we would if we had any of the above symptoms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the school nurse there (a health department employee) has been consulted on any of these measures. Doubtful.

FCPS has pretty clearly said attendance policies for illness are back to pre-pandemic. The fact that some people on DCUM cannot get used to that idea doesn't change it.

Precovid kids still aren’t supposed to come to school when sick, and some children are going to miss due to chronic illness or other issues. Here are all the current reasons your child should stay home: severe coughing, pink eye, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, rash/fever, strep.

Agree this is misplaced. My children have had low level gunk since the beginning of September and we haven’t missed a day, but we would if we had any of the above symptoms.

Disagree. Yes, kids get sick and should stay home and yes, kids are getting sick more and for longer after covid.

But the big problem is parents who have decided that school is optional and have passed that idea on to their kids. It's not a low SES idea either, it's across all SES. It's all over this forum, everywhere. And it harms kids to miss school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's entirely inappropriate for elementary schoolers whose parents are irresponsible. I wouldn't do it for middle school either. Just high school.

I think my middle schooler would rather have an absence than a visit from the school mascot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the school nurse there (a health department employee) has been consulted on any of these measures. Doubtful.

FCPS has pretty clearly said attendance policies for illness are back to pre-pandemic. The fact that some people on DCUM cannot get used to that idea doesn't change it.

Precovid kids still aren’t supposed to come to school when sick, and some children are going to miss due to chronic illness or other issues. Here are all the current reasons your child should stay home: severe coughing, pink eye, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, rash/fever, strep.

Agree this is misplaced. My children have had low level gunk since the beginning of September and we haven’t missed a day, but we would if we had any of the above symptoms.

Disagree. Yes, kids get sick and should stay home and yes, kids are getting sick more and for longer after covid.

But the big problem is parents who have decided that school is optional and have passed that idea on to their kids. It's not a low SES idea either, it's across all SES. It's all over this forum, everywhere. And it harms kids to miss school.

There is data showing that it hurts struggling children, but is there data showing that it hurts high achievers? My kid is in middle school and we're fine with them sleeping in on occasion or leaving early. They do great in school, sit down with khan academy when they don't get a concept in math, read a ton

[Anonymous]

This is going on all over the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the school nurse there (a health department employee) has been consulted on any of these measures. Doubtful.

FCPS has pretty clearly said attendance policies for illness are back to pre-pandemic. The fact that some people on DCUM cannot get used to that idea doesn't change it.

Precovid kids still aren’t supposed to come to school when sick, and some children are going to miss due to chronic illness or other issues. Here are all the current reasons your child should stay home: severe coughing, pink eye, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, rash/fever, strep.

Agree this is misplaced. My children have had low level gunk since the beginning of September and we haven’t missed a day, but we would if we had any of the above symptoms.

Disagree. Yes, kids get sick and should stay home and yes, kids are getting sick more and for longer after covid.

But the big problem is parents who have decided that school is optional and have passed that idea on to their kids. It's not a low SES idea either, it's across all SES. It's all over this forum, everywhere. And it harms kids to miss school.

There is data showing that it hurts struggling children, but is there data showing that it hurts high achievers? My kid is in middle school and we're fine with them sleeping in on occasion or leaving early. They do great in school, sit down with khan academy when they don't get a concept in math, read a ton

No, at least not at the secondary level.